Van Gisbergen in disbelief over rivals' strategy

Shane van Gisbergen was left in disbelief by his closest rivals’ strategy in Race 22.

Van Gisbergen again ran long to secure victory at the OTR SuperSprint.

The points leader trailed Chaz Mostert and James Courtney in the opening laps.

Courtney stopped on lap 5, and Mostert on the following lap.

Courtney was unable to clear Mostert with an undercut, but neither driver could match van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen pushed late into the time certain race and stopped on lap 17.

He emerged ahead of Mostert, having cut laps in clean air as those behind battled for position.

Armed with fresher tyres, van Gisbergen ran unchallenged to the flag.

The race was shortened after an early accident between Thomas Randle and Andre Heimgartner.

Randle and Heimgartner have been sent for precautionary scans after the crash, which triggered red flags.

After the race, the reigning champion was surprised by Mostert and Courtney’s early stops.

“Shame to see that crash at the start, glad those guys are okay,” van Gisbergen said.

“Not good to see damaged cars.

“Restart, I didn’t get a good start again, we had an awesome race back through.

“I couldn’t believe it when those guys pitted and got clear air and just pushed off.

“We were planning to do the undercut then, but they did it and we got clear air.

“It worked really well.”

Mostert said he was brought in by his team to cover off Courtney.

He did enough to secure a second trophy in as many days, but conceded second was the maximum given van Gisbergen’s pace.

It came after Mostert vaulted from sixth to first by the first corner after the second standing start.

“James came in, we had to cover him,” Mostert said.

“We knew if we gave Shane clear air, he was going to take off.

“I wasn’t surprised when he popped out right there at the front in the end.

“Still a bit of work to do, but super happy to get second from starting sixth."

The OTR SuperSprint will conclude with Race 23 at 3:40pm local time.